How to Make a Fairy Ball Gown

Begin your fairy ball gown sewing project by envisioning your fairy.

The thought of wearing a fairy ball gown brings a smile to the face of a girl regardless of her ate. At age three, a fairy ball gown transforms a little girl into a princess. Fairy ball gowns are also fun for older princesses to wear as they glide across the dance floor. You can make your gown as simple or complex as you desire. Select sheer, wispy fabrics to go over the underskirt of your fairy ball gown to create movement.

Things You'll Need

• Ball gown pattern for an adult or child
• Measuring tape
• Fabric scissors
• Straight pins
• Hand sewing needles
• Sewing machine
• Bobbins and needles appropriate for each type of fabric
• Fabric
• Thread
• Netting or tulle (optional)
• Horsehair braid (optional)

Instructions

1. 

   When selecting a pattern for your fairy ball gown, consider both costume and evening wear patterns.

   Select a pattern for a fairy ball gown at a fabric store. Check the costume and evening wear sections of the pattern book.

2. Select hand or machine washable fabrics if the fairy ball gown you are making is for a little girl. Even princesses get dirty while playing. Make the armholes, sleeve openings, and waist of the fairy ball gown large enough for your princess to put the gown on easily over her play clothes.

3. Look at the fabric on the "dollar a yard" or discount table to save money -- ball gowns require a lot of fabric. Be creative and consider fabrics, such as sheer or lightweight drapery fabric for the top layers -- the extra width of drapery fabric means you will require less fabric.

4. Indulge if money is no object. Consider fabric with sequins and beading and fancy lace for the bodice and an elegant satin for the underskirt that will flow while you dance.

5. Add volume to the skirt by stitching a "horsehair braid" into the hem of the underskirt -- this 1/2 inch plastic finishing aid will make the hem of your gown stand out.

6. Make a crinoline out of netting and tack a cylinder stuffed loosely with netting about four to five inches below the waist on an adult -- less on an adolescent or young girl. Line the crinoline with lightweight lining fabric if your princess complains that it is "too scratchy." Hand tack the crinoline to the lining.

7. Make the bodice, underskirt and sleeves out of muslin before cutting the fabric for your gown.Stitch the muslin together using a large basting stitch -- if you need to make alterations, removing a loose basting stitch will take far less time than removing machine stitching. Use the altered muslin pattern pieces instead of the paper pattern pieces in areas where alterations were made.

8. Learn about couture sewing and finishing techniques to make your dress as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. Check your library or your local or online bookstore for books on the topic. A local university or community college may also offer a class in couture sewing and finishing. techniques.

Tips & Warnings

• Be precise in laying out, cutting and sewing your fairy ball gown to create a professional looking result. Little errors make a big difference in the way that a gown fits and hangs.

• Be conscious of the weight of the fabrics that you choose. Fairies fly -- so you want your fairy ball gown to have a lightweight, flowing, wispy feeling that sheer and lightweight fabrics give.

Resources

• Couture Sewing Techniques; C. B. Sheaffer; 2011
• 100 Dresses: The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan; H. Koda; 2010
• Singer Complete Photo Guide to Sewing; 2009